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Garaventa Lift has lost our Dear Friend Jack

It is always difficult losing a pet; however it has to be even more difficult to lose a service dog after 12 years of friendship, spending every moment side-by-side. One of our own Garaventa Lift family members, Paul Bryan, had his service dog Jack pass away last week. Jack’s health was deteriorating and was no longer able to enjoy life. He was laid to rest on Wednesday, September 28th.

Jack was born in 1997 and began his service with Paul Bryan in 1999. He took Paul all over British Columbia, pulling him through even the most inaccessible towns. Paul Bryan is in a wheelchair, needing Jack for assistance with difficult terrain and opening the odd door. Even after Jack had become too old to serve, he still went everywhere with Paul as a companion. Paul said “I try to leave him at home but he’s not use to it, so I still take him even though he’s no longer working”.

PADS (Pacific Assistance Dogs Society) dogs are trained to not be left alone at home for more than four hours at a time from an early age. All volunteer trainers and dog sitters have to commit to taking the dogs everywhere, and are required to provide written permission from their employer to ensure this happens. Pacific Assistance Dogs are life changers, providing assistance to people with a number of disabilities. They can make a huge difference to people and their quality of life. To learn more about PADS visit www.pads.ca.

PADS - Pacific Assistance Dogs Society

For the month of October we will donate $1 for every Facebook like to Garaventa Lift on Facebook in Jack’s Name to the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society.

Jack was a wonderful dog, very friendly and loving; he will be missed by all of us, and most of all by Paul.

If you have a story or a few words of support for our good friend Paul, please leave a comment and know that the message will be passed along.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Please pass on our condolences to Paul. Nancy and I recently lost our family dog of 14 years , and it hit us hard. These critters truly become members of your family. I can only imagine how this is amplified when dealing with the loss of a service dog. Take care Paul, we are thinking of you.

R.I.P. Buddy.
Paul receive my warmest regards and condolences for the loss. Jack was very special.
I always remember you as well as our dear friends and customers from Spain; José Maria and Elisabeth.
Arrivederci

We will miss our friend Jack–from the racing around the acre and the flying leap of at least 10 feet into the middle of the pond. The panic on Paul’s face, the terror in his voice and the absolute happy abandonment of a lab in water–our fondest memory of Jack. We are so happy to have known him.
He was a faithful friend and the best companion ever. You gave Jack the best life Paul. Thank you for sharing Jack with us.
Love Linda and Bob

Jack was one of the first PADS working dogs I met after I got involved in 99/2000. He and Paul were wonderful ambassadors, and Jack did the job with such enthusiasm. I met Jack again a few years later and he was still working with gusto, jumping into everything with all he had. RIP Jack, and job well done.

Thinking of you Paul and know how much you will truly miss your best buddy Jack. I loved him too and miss seeing him around the office. I will always laugh when I remember getting the receptionist (Brenda) to page Jack and then calling her back to page him again…. he didnt pick up !!!! lol. Took her awhile to catch on. Take care and think of the good times you were blessed to haved shared.

Paul,
I have many great memories of Jack while working at Garaventa…..one of the most memorable ones is when I was asked to page “Jack Bryan” to reception……and then realized I had paged the dog….so many good times, Jack was a wonderful addition to Garaventa.

Dear Paul,
I don’t know what to say, except that I’m so, so sorry to hear about Jack.
I will always remember how you two speeding on Hastings or Georgia. Definately the fastest non-motorised duo in Vancouver.
Thank you for brining Jack into the Garaventa family.

From the time i worked for Garaventa right from the beginning i noticed a man in a chair with his dog. I often wondered who this man and dog were, until later on in my career did a message from Management explain during a luncheon exactly that. Paul BC Dealer, and his partner Jack quite the tandem!

You always looked good together like it was meant to be……Just the two of you! Without the past being as it was, we wouldn’t have the future to embark upon today. So Good Luck moving forward, our loved ones and companions would want it that way.

is very sad to hear of Jack’s passing. All PADS dogs are special however of all the dogs trained during my involvement with PADS I have to admit that Jumping Jack is one that definitely stands out! From Day 1 he did everything with such gusto. Small but mighty and indeed legendary! A great team! Thinking of you Paul ….

I had the honour of knowing Jack since he was just a pup and watching him grow into an energetic, loving “son” to my Dad-he met his true companion. Jack had such such a strong love for adventure and left no body of water unturned. I will always be grateful to Jack for bringing so much joy to my Dad’s life.

I had the honour of knowing Jack when he was just a pup and watched him grown into an energetic, full of life “son” of my Dad, Paul-he met his true companion. Jack loved going for walks on the boardwalk with Dad and enjoyed all of the adventures Dad took him on. He left no body of water unturned. I will always be grateful for the joy he brought to my Dad’s life and I know that Jack left us feeling the love, commitment and devotion that Dad felt for him.

Paul,
I read your “Recipient’s Story” when first starting out as a puppy-raiser for PADS, years ago. Jack was a dog to remember, because even though he was small and a fireball of energy, he was the right dog for the job! I’ve seen pups that are so energetic & mischievous, it’s hard to imagine they could ever wear that blue Assistance Dog cape, but I just think back to your little powerhouse and tell them, “if Jack can do it, you can, too!” Thank you for being an advocate, Paul. You and Jack have changed lives!
— Wendy

Paul,
My heart goes out to you. I know what you’re going through as we lost Tango in Feb. I’ll always remember throwing sticks for Jack at the archery field. He would play forever. All your archery friends will miss him dearly.
Pat

Paul….it is not just you, with tears …missing Jack…..
I just got my dear Service Dog Gretzky in January, and he is alredy as much a part of my life as my right arm. I can’t imagine life without him now, and I appreciate the pain that you are and have experienced in losing him. I am so very sorry.

Paul … So sorry to hear of the loss of Jack. He was a legend at PADS. When I was in team training with my first PADS dog (Barley who was also a puller), Jack was an inspiration for a new rookie like myself. Sadly, Barley has also passed and the loss of a service dog is extremely difficult. Our thoughts are with you Paul … These four legged friends leave a large hole in our hearts.

My daughter has a service dog Skye (a PADS dog) who is12 and still very capable of working but we dred that day when she will not be able to. When we are going somewhere and have not yet got organized she can sometimes be found sitting in her seat in the van, “not dressed” yet. She is determined not to be left behind. Thinking of you and your loss Paul.